Adjustable transfer device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for facilitating a person&#39;s transfer onto and off-of a support surface such as a bed by providing a transfer device that includes a rail member connected to a lateral support. The transfer device is height adjustable, depth adjustable and width adjustable, and the transfer device can be adjusted independently in each direction. An optional retainer acts a selectively operated gate to secure a patient or user on a bed. An optional securement strap attaches to the frame of the bed and the transfer device to anchor the device to the bed.

The present invention relates to an adjustable transfer device and moreparticularly to a transfer device separately adjustable in the height,width, and/or depth directions.

BACKGROUND

In certain instances it has been known that individuals may needassistance getting into and out-of bed. In some instances where anindividual has been injured, the need may be temporary. In other cases,where the individual is elderly or suffers from a permanent disability,the problem may be persistent. Often times the individual may be livingalone or have access to limited financial assistance when the needarises for some additional help in transferring to and from the bed.Many times the individual may have a limited income or the problem maypersist for such a short period time that limited funds are availablefor such a need.

Expensive and elaborate bed transfer systems, such as hospital beds withbed rails formed integrally therewith, have been available for sometime; however, such systems are cost prohibitive for home-care use.Other bed transfer systems have been developed for home care use whichutilize a wooden board or other rigid, sheet-like material for insertionbetween the box spring and mattress of a conventional bed to which atransfer rail is attached thereto. Such systems, while adequate forthere intended purpose, may be difficult for the elderly or persons withinjuries to install and remove. By providing a rigid layer between thebed and the box spring, such systems inherently interfere with thecomfort level achieved by the cooperation of the mattress with the boxspring. Such a barrier may not always be desirable. Thus, the needexists for a low cost and easy-to-use bed transfer device that providesa both long and short term solutions for individuals when transferringinto or out of bed.

Existing devices include still further drawbacks including the need foradjustability of a transfer device that can be adapted to fit specificsize and width beds. Also, bed rails should not, in some applications,be overly restrictive to a patient. There is a need for a releasable oreasy-access bed rail. Still further, there is a need for a bed railhaving a secure means of attachment to a bed so that a patient cannotinadvertently remove the transfer device from the bed. This securementdevice must also be accessible by a provider, so the securement meansshould be releasable and accessible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an adjustable transfer deviceis provided that is adapted to be size adjustable in up to threedirections. The transfer device is more specifically described as a bedtransfer device comprising a rail member, a lateral support, and aplurality of floor supports or legs. The rail member is aligned with abed's lengthwise direction. The lateral support rests under the mattressand on top of the mattress support surface (box frame, slats, bed frame,etc.). A collar is located at each end of the rail member. The collarsserve as a height adjustment mechanism for the lateral support.

The rail member is in a telescoping relationship with the legs so thatit is height adjustable relative to a support surface. The rail memberis also width adjustable. The lateral support is joined to the railmember, and the lateral support is also width adjustable in order tomatch the width of the rail member. In addition, the lateral support isalso depth adjustable relative to the collar. A user can determine,therefore, how far under the mattress the lateral support should extend.The lateral support can also be adapted for use with beds or mattressesof varying widths. In summary, the bed transfer device is sizeadjustable in the height, width, and/or depth directions.

In one preferred embodiment, a retainer is selectively attached to therail member in order to help secure a patient or user on a bed ormattress. It acts as a releasable or selectively removable gate. Theretainer is preferably width adjustable and/or elastic. The retainer canbe secured to or secured around the rail member by a number of methodsobvious to one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the retainerincludes hook and loop fasteners used to secure the retainer around twopositions on the rail member.

In another preferred embodiment, the transfer device includes asecurement strap that releasably connects the transfer device to a bedframe or bed rail. The strap effectively acts as an anchor. Thesecurement strap can be tied, snapped, wrapped around, or otherwisesecured to the rail member, a collar, and/or a leg. The other end of thestrap is connected to a bed frame supporting a mattress. The strap couldbe of a fixed length or length adjustable.

In use, a user places the bed transfer device adjacent a mattress withthe rail member extending along the lengthwise direction of the bed. Thecollars are adjusted on the rail member so that the collars are locatedproximate the bottom edge of the mattress. The lateral support isinserted above a mattress support surface and under a mattress. Thelateral support can be adjusted or telescoped relative to the collarsdepending on a user's preferences, the width of the mattress, or thelike. The rail member, which is supported on the legs, is also adjustedor telescoped relative to the legs depending on a user's preferences,the height of the mattress, or the like. The width of the transferdevice is also adjusted to account for the height of the user, length ofthe mattress, or some other factor. The optional retainer is detached atone or both ends so that a user can transfer onto or off-of themattress. The optional securement strap is connected to a bed framesupporting the mattress and to the transfer device.

In summary, a transfer device in accordance with the present inventionefficiently addresses at least one of the problems associated with priorart bed transfer devices. The foregoing and additional features andadvantages of the present invention will become apparent to those ofskill in the art from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the transfer device in accordance withone preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a transfer device in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is an additional front view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the transfer device in accordance withone preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the transfer device in accordance withone preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The transfer device of the present invention operates to assist elderly,infirm, or otherwise handicapped individuals as they get onto or off-ofa platform, support surface, bed, or the like. The transfer device ismore specifically described as a bed transfer device comprising a railmember, a lateral support, and a plurality of floor supports or legs.The rail member, lateral support, and legs are all coupled together. Thelegs and rail member are secured to each other. A collar slides alongeach end of the rail member and the collar is connected to the lateralmember. The leg/rail connection is operable to adjust the height of thetransfer device relative to the ground. The lateral support member issubstantially perpendicular to the legs and is placed between a mattressand an underlying mattress support (box spring, slats, bed frame, etc.).The depth of the lateral member, relative to the rail member, and widthof the lateral support can be adjusted. The rail member is located atopthe legs. The rail member provides assistance to a patient transferringonto or off-of a platform, mattress, bed, or the like. The rail membercan also be adjusted in the width direction. Advantageously, the lateralsupport member, rail member, and legs can all be adjusted independently.Overall, the transfer device is adjustable in up to three directions.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the present invention,there is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 at least one preferred embodiment ofan adjustable bed transfer device 10. Transfer device 10 includesgenerally an adjustable rail member 12 having two ends. The rail memberroughly resembles an inverted, W-shaped railing formed from horizontaland vertical segments with rounded corners connecting the segments. Theends of rail member 12 support collars 14, 14′. The collars connect railmember 12 with a U-shaped lateral support 16 (discussed further below).Rail member 12 is adjustably mounted to substantially vertical legs 18,18′.

Rail member 12, lateral support 16, legs 18, 18′, and collars 14, 14′are preferably fabricated from metal tubes. The diameter of the tubespreferably fall within a range of about 0.5 inch to 2 inches, althoughthe specific diameters used are not crucial to the operation of thetransfer device. Various sizes of tubing, shapes of tubing, and methodsfor fabricating the tubing will be obvious to one skilled in the art. Itis also obvious that alternative methods of coupling the variouscomponents exist. Overall, the tubing is preferably easily gripped by auser, is strong enough to support the weight of a patient, and is easilyplaced between a mattress and a support surface without causing unduediscomfort to a user on the mattress.

In greater detail, rail member 12 comprises two separate halves: a leftrail member half 20 and a right rail member half 22. The halves arebasically mirror images with each half having a first end (effectivelythe ends of rail member 12) supporting a respective collar and a secondend coupled to the second end of the opposing half. Joining the halvestogether forms the generally inverted, W-shaped rail member 12. Thesecond ends are coupled in an adjustable or telescoping manner so thatthe width of rail member 12 can be adjusted.

Width adjustment of the rail member is preferably accomplished by thesecond end of one rail member half having a larger diameter than thesecond end of the opposing rail member half in order to create astandard male-female connection 24. As illustrated, right half 22includes the larger diameter, or female, connector 26. The second end ofleft half 20 is the male connector (not shown; internal to femaleconnector 26). A plurality of aligned apertures are provided through thediameter of the male connector. A pair of apertures formed through thediameter of female connector 26 are sized to accept a pair of fasteners28. Corresponding male and female apertures are aligned so thatfasteners 28 can be inserted through both the male and femaleconnectors. The fasteners, such as pegs, screws, rivets, or the like,secure left half 20 to right half 22. Spring biased mechanisms, such aspush buttons, as known in the art, also could provide a means to securethe male and female portions together.

In use, a user adjusts the width of rail member 12 by removing thefasteners, adjusting one of the halves relative to the other, and thenreinserting the fasteners through aligned apertures in the male andfemale connectors. In the case of a spring biased mechanism, a userwould merely actuate the spring biasing mechanism and adjust the widthof the rail member. Bayonet connections, snap locks, and the like aresuitable for the male-female connection.

Together, left half 20 and right half 22 form the inverted, W-shapedrail member 12 wherein each half includes horizontal and verticalsegments with rounded corners connecting the segments, as brieflymentioned above. In even greater detail, the segments of each half willbe described in order progressing from the first end of each half to themale-female connection 24.

Each half beings with a vertical segment extending upwards from asupport surface to form outer rail segments, which are identified aselements 30 and 32. The collars slide along the vertical outer railsegments. The outer rail segments are bent or turned into horizontalupper cross members 34 and 36. A pair of rubberized grips 34′, 36′ canbe included on the respective upper cross members 34, 36. The crossmembers are then turned downwards into inner rail segments 38 and 40(see FIGS. 2 and 3). The inner rail segments are again turnedhorizontally to form a lower cross member 42. Lower cross member 42includes the male-female connection 24 formed by joining the two secondends of left half 20 and right half 22. Typically, upper cross members34, 36 will be positioned above the upper surface of a mattress to beused by a patient while main cross member 42 will be located beneath thesurface of a mattress to provide access to the bed. One skilled in theart will appreciate that additional grips, a rubberized cover, or thelike may be included on the individual rail member segments.

Collars 14, 14′ can be adjustably placed along outer rail segments 30,32. Each collar includes a wing nut 44, 44′ which threadably screws intothe respective collar 14, 14′ for a conventional friction fit engagementagainst the rail member 12. It will be appreciated that any number offasteners may be used to secure the rail member in the collars,including screws, compression rings, push buttons, friction fit, clevispins, cotter pins, or the like. Reducers (illustrated but not labeled),as known in the art, can be used to compensate for the diameterdifferences between the rail member and collars. Reducers are known inthe art, and they help to prevent rattling between the collars and railmember.

In one preferred embodiment, a fabric retainer 50 extends from leftinner rail segment 38 to right inner rail segment 40. Retainer 50 isselectively attached to the inner rail segments 38, 40 as a gate tosecure a patient on a bed or mattress. One or both ends of retainer 50are releasably secured to rail member 12. Therefore, retainer 50 acts asreleasable or selectively removable gate.

Retainer 50, further illustrated in FIG. 3, is essentially a rectangularpiece of fabric having a width greater than the distance between innersegments 38 and 40 and a height less than the length of either innersegment 38,40. The fabric is formed from nylon, polyester, cotton,rayon, acrylic, rubber (e.g., Spandex),. a mixture thereof, or the like.The retainer is preferably width adjustable and/or elastic. The retainercan be secured to or secured around the rail member by a number ofmethods obvious to one skilled in the art. For instance, an end ofretainer 50 may be sewn back onto the retainer to form a permanent loop.The loop would then fit around rail member 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, retainer 50 utilizes mating hook and loopfasteners (a/k/a Velco) to secure the retainer around the rail member. Astrip or strips of hooks 52 is included on retainer 50. The hooks engagea strip or strips of loops 54, also included on retainer 50. In use, theuser would simply pull the loops away from the hooks in order to openretainer 50. Buttons, snaps, ties, and the like could be used in placeof the hook and loop mechanism.

Turning now to the generally U-shaped lateral support 16, there isillustrated two support halves: a left support half 60 and a rightsupport half 62. The halves are basically mirror images with each halfhaving a first end (effectively the ends of lateral support 16) coupledto the respective collar and a second end coupled to the second end ofthe opposing half. Joining the halves together forms the generallyU-shaped lateral support 16. The second ends are coupled in anadjustable or telescoping manner so that the width of lateral support 16can be adjusted.

The lateral support width adjustment is preferably accomplishedaccording to the width adjustment mechanism described above for railmember 12. Namely, the second end of one support half has a largerdiameter than the second end of the opposing support half in order tocreate a standard male-female connection 64. As illustrated, supporthalf 62 includes the larger diameter, or female, connector 66. Thesecond end of support half 60 is the male connector (not shown; internalto female connector 66). A plurality of aligned apertures are providedthrough the diameter of the male connector. A pair of apertures formedthrough the diameter of female connector 66 are sized to accept a pairof fasteners 68. Corresponding male and female apertures are aligned sothat fasteners 68 can be inserted through both the male and femaleconnectors. The fasteners, such as pegs, screws, rivets, or the like,secure left half 60 to right half 62.

In use, a user adjusts the width of lateral support 16 by removingfasteners 68, adjusting one of the halves relative to the other, andthen reinserting the fasteners through aligned apertures in the male andfemale connectors. It is also envisioned that a spring biasingmechanism(s), such as a push button mechanism, could be used to secureone half of lateral support 16 to the other half while providing theability to adjust the width of the support. In the case of a springbiased mechanism, a user would merely actuate the spring biasingmechanism and adjust the width of the rail member. Both connections 24,64 can be accomplished using mechanisms other than specificallydescribed, and bayonet connections, snap locks, and the like are allsuitable for the male-female connections.

Each collar 14, ‘14 includes an extension, identified as left extension70 and right extension 70′. The first ends of support halves 60, 62 canbe adjustably moved into and out of extensions 70, 70′ so that the depthof lateral support 16 can be adjusted relative to collars 14, 14′. Aplurality of spaced apart apertures 72 in extensions 70, 70′ engage aspring biased button as known in the art (not shown). The button isprovided by the left and right support halves 60, 62 proximate the firstend of the halves. The extensions are attached to the collars by weldingor other securement means.

In use, a user inserts the first end of halves 60 or 62 into therespective extension. The spring biased button is depressed. When thebutton is aligned with one of extension apertures 72, it automatically,due to a spring force, extends into the aligned aperture and locks thelateral support to the corresponding collar. A user actuates the buttonto adjust the lateral support towards or away from collars 14, 14′. Itwill be appreciated that any number of techniques or mechanisms may beused to secure lateral support 16 within collar extensions 70, 70′,including screws, compression rings, push-buttons, friction fit, clevispins, cotter pins, or the like.

Legs or support supports 18, 18′ allow the rail member to be verticallyadjusted relative to the ground. Legs 18, 18′ are inserted into railmember 12 in a telescoping relationship. Again, a mechanism, such as aknown push button mechanism, can be used to selectively prevent thetelescopic movement of the legs within rail member 12. Preferably, themechanism is a push button arrangement including at least one ofspring-biased button 74, 74′ engaging one aperture in a set of apertures76, 76′ located in spaced apart relation along the length of left andright outer rail segments 30, 32.

It has been found that sliding the respective collars along the railmember can depress the corresponding leg's push button. The user may,therefore, accidently allow the leg to telescope in relation to the legswhilst they are adjusting the height of the lateral member. In apreferred embodiment, each leg includes more than one button with thebuttons positioned farther apart than the height of the respectivecollar. Therefore, as the collar slides along the rail member, it canonly depress one button at a time and the legs are prevented fromtelescoping in relation to the rail member.

Rubber stops 78, 78′ are located at the base of the respective legs 18,18′ to resist lateral movement along a floor or support surface.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated preferred embodimentsof a securement strap 80 with a proximate end and distal end. Theproximate end of strap 80 forms a part of, or connects to, a loop 82that is situated on transfer device 10. Specifically, loop 82 is locatedaround rail member 12, collar 14′, or leg 18′. For purposes of theillustration, loop 82 is located on collar 14′ in FIG. 5 and on leg 18′in FIG. 6. The distal end of strap 80 is connected to a bed or bedframe, typically via a bed rail 84.

In greater detail, FIG. 5 illustrates strap 80 wherein the proximate endof the strap is sewn to the strap to form the loop. The loop may beplaced on transfer device 10 before or after assembling the componentsof the transfer device together.

A conventional quick release buckle 86 allows a user to quicklydisconnect device 10 from bed frame or bed rail 84. The quick releasebuckle is located adjacent the loop or in a position that is accessibleto a user. The length of strap 80 is adjusted via an optional lengthadjustment buckle 88 joining two sections of strap 80.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein the strap'sproximal end terminates as a male or female quick release bucklecomponent. An appendage with the opposing male or female quick-releasebuckle component would be sewn or secured to the strap near the proximalend. The two buckle components would snap together around collar 14′ orleg 18′. Therefore, when the quick release buckle 86 is snapped togetherit forms the loop 82. In this embodiment, the distal end of strap 80 issecured to bed frame 84 adjacent to transfer device 10. The distal endof the strap is wrapped around rail 84 and threaded through a cinchbuckle or length adjusting buckle (not shown in FIG. 6) located on strap80. The buckle operates to introduce slack in strap 80, remove slackfrom strap 80, or release strap 80 from bed frame 84. Additional meansfor securing strap 80 to device 10 and frame 84 are available.

While the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood that numerous variations,modifications and additional embodiments are possible, and all suchvariations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as beingwithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A transfer device for use with a bed having a surface layer and a bedframe supporting the surface layer, the bed transfer device comprising:a plurality of floor supports; a width adjustable rail member heightadjustably positioned on the floor supports; a plurality of collarsmounted on the rail member, a width adjustable lateral supportadjustably received by the collars, the lateral support being removablyinserted between the surface layer of the bed and the bed frame; andwherein the transfer device is independently adjustable in the height,width, and depth directions with respect to the bed.
 2. The transferdevice of claim 1, further comprising a securement strap releasablyconnecting the bed frame to the transfer device.
 3. The transfer deviceof claim 2, wherein the securement strap is not connected to the lateralsupport.
 4. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the rail member,floor supports and lateral support are fabricated of metal tubes.
 5. Thetransfer device of claim 1, wherein the rail member is comprised of atleast two pieces that telescope one within the other to vary the widthof the rail member; and the lateral support is comprised of at least twopieces that telescope one within the other to vary the width of thelateral support.
 6. The transfer device of claim 1, further comprisingthe lateral support having ends, wherein each end is slidably insertedinto an extension on the respective collar; and a mechanism adapted toselectively maintain the lateral support in a stationary relationshipwith respect to the collars.
 7. The transfer device of claim 6, whereinthe lateral support is comprised of at least two pieces that telescopeone within the other to vary the width of the lateral support.
 8. Thetransfer device of claim 1, wherein each floor support in the pluralityof floor supports includes a height adjustment mechanism adapted toreleasably secure the position of the rail member relative to the floorsupport.
 9. The transfer device of claim 8, wherein the rail member iscomprised of at least two pieces that telescope one within the other tovary the width of the rail member; and the lateral support is comprisedof at least two pieces that telescope one within the other to vary thewidth of the lateral support.
 10. The transfer device of claim 1,further comprising a fastener on each collar, the fastener adapted toselectively maintain the collar in a stationary position on the railmember.
 11. The transfer device of claim 10, wherein the fastenerscomprise a wing nut frictionally engaging the rail member.
 12. Thetransfer device of claim 10, wherein the rail member is comprised of atleast two pieces that telescope one within the other to vary the lengthof the rail member.
 13. The transfer device of claim 1, furthercomprising a retainer selectively secured to the rail member, theretainer operable to secure a user on the bed.
 14. A bed transfer devicefor use with a bed having a mattress and a bed frame, the bed transferdevice comprising: a rail member adjacent the mattress; a lateralsupport connected to the rail member, the lateral support located belowthe mattress; a retainer secured to the rail member, the retainercomprising a section of fabric having opposite ends, and where in theopposite ends of the fabric are releasably secured around differentportions of the rail member to thereby form a releasable gate; andwherein the retainer is releasably attached to the rail member toselectively secure a user on a mattress.
 15. A bed transfer device asdescribed in claim 14, farther comprising a plurality of floor supportsadjustably coupled to the rail member.
 16. A bed transfer device asdescribed in claim 15, wherein the floor supports include tubularsegments telescopically coupled to the rail member.
 17. A bed transferdevice as described in claim 15, wherein the lateral support isadjustably connected to the rail member.
 18. A bed transfer device asdescribed in claim 17, wherein adjusting the lateral support relative tothe rail member is independent of adjusting the floor supports withrespect to the rail member.
 19. A bed transfer device as described inclaim 17, further comprising a plurality of collars slidably mounted onthe rail member, each collar adjustably receiving the lateral supportand coupling the rail member to the lateral support; and a fastener oneach collar, the fastener adapted to selectively maintain the collar ina stationary position on the rail member.
 20. A bed transfer device asdescribed in claim 19, wherein the fasteners comprise a wing nutfrictionally engaging the rail member.
 21. A bed transfer device asdescribed in claim 14, further comprising a securement strap releasablyconnecting the bed frame to the bed transfer device and wherein thesecurement strap has a variable length.
 22. A bed transfer device asdescribed in claim 14, wherein the rail member and lateral support arcfabricated of metal tubes.
 23. (canceled)
 24. A bed transfer device foruse with a bed having at least two surface layers and a bed frame, thebed transfer device comprising: a rail member having a plurality ofends, the rail member comprised of at least two pieces that telescopeone within the other to vary the width of the rail member; and a lateralsupport substantially crosswise to and connected to the rail member, thelateral support comprised of at least two pieces that telescope onewithin the other to vary the width of the lateral support.
 25. A bedtransfer device as described in claim 24, wherein the rail member andlateral support are fabricated of metal tubes.
 26. A bed transfer deviceas described in claim 25, a plurality of collars slidably mounted on therail member, the collars including an extension that slidably receivesthe lateral support.
 27. A bed transfer device as described in claim 24,further comprising a securement strap releasably connected on one end tothe bed frame and releasably connected on another end to the transferdevice.
 28. A bed transfer device as described in claim 27, wherein thesecurement strap is not connected to the lateral support.
 29. A bedtransfer device as described in claim 24, further comprising a pluralityof collars slidably mounted on the sail member; a plurality of floorsupports, the rail member height adjustably mounted on the floorsupports; the lateral support having ends, wherein each end is slidablyreceived by a collar; and a fastener associated with each of the collarsadapted to maintain the collars in a stationary relationship withrespect to the rail member.
 30. A bed transfer device as described inclaim 29, wherein sliding the lateral support relative to the collars isindependent of adjusting the floor supports with respect to the railmember.
 31. A bed transfer device as described in claim 24, furthercomprising a plurality of floor supports adjustably coupled to the endsof the rail member and wherein the floor supports include tubularsegments telescopically coupled to the rail member ends.
 32. A bedtransfer device as described in claim 31, wherein the floor supportsinclude a height adjustment mechanism adapted to releasably secure theposition of the floor supports relative to the rail member.
 33. A bedtransfer device as described in claim 32, wherein sliding the lateralsupport relative to the collars is independent of adjusting the floorsupports with respect to the rail member ends.
 34. A bed transfer deviceas described in claim 24, further comprising an adjustable lengthretainer selectively secured to the rail member, the retainer operableto secure a user on a bed.
 35. A bed transfer device for use with a bedhaving a mattress and a bed frame, the bed transfer device comprising: arail member adjacent the mattress; a lateral support adjustablyconnected to the rail member in the crosswise direction, the lateralsupport located below the mattress; a plurality of collars slidablymounted on the rail member, each collar adjustably receiving the lateralsupport and coupling the rail member to the lateral support; and asecurement strap releasably connecting the bed frame to the bed transferdevice and wherein the securement strap has a variable length.
 36. Thebed transfer device of claim 35, further comprising a retainer securedto the rail member; and wherein the retainer is releasably attached tothe rail member to selectively secure a user on a mattress.
 37. The bedtransfer device of claim 36, wherein the retainer comprises a piece offabric piece having opposite ends, and wherein the opposite ends of thefabric piece are releasably secured to different portions of the railmember to thereby form a releasable gate.
 38. The bed transfer device ofclaim 35, further comprising a plurality of floor supports adjustablycoupled to the rail member.
 39. The bed transfer device of claim 38,wherein the floor supports include tubular segments telescopicallycoupled to the rail member.
 40. The bed transfer device of claim 38,wherein adjusting the lateral support relative to the rail member isindependent of adjusting the floor supports with respect to the railmember.
 41. The bed transfer device of claim 35, wherein a fastener isassociated with each collar, the fasteners adapted to selectivelymaintain the collar in a stationary position on the rail member.
 42. Thebed transfer device of claim 41, wherein the fasteners comprise a wingnut frictionally engaging the rail member.